Objectives : In the meridian pathway system, 5 yang meridians excluding bladder meridian pass ST12. In this study, we tried to find out why 5 yang meridians pass ST12. Methods : 15 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion literature - 『Huangdimingtangjingjixiao』, 『Zhenjiujiayijing』, 『Huangdineijingtaisu』, 『Beijiqianjinyaofang』, 『Waitaimiyaofang』, 『Ishimpo』, 『Taipingshenghuifang』, 『Tongrenshuxue-zhenjiutujing』, 『Zhenjiuzishengjing』, 『Shisijingfahui』, 『Zhenjiujuying』, 『Yixuerumen』, 『Zhenjiudacheng』, 『Leijing』, and 『Leijingtuyi』- were reviewed and compared. Results : Five yang meridians passed ST12, and large intestine meridian and triple energizer meridian were closely related to ST12 in divergent channels. Stomach meridian and gall bladder meridian were related to ST12 in meridian muscles. ST12 was related to small intestine meridian in main cure effect. ST12 is in the best position to enter the body cavity. Conclusions : It can be seen that ST12 is closely related to all internal organs through the characteristics of stomach meridian. Therefore, it is thought that ST12's various characteristics largely explains a pathway to enter the body cavity in the hand and foot three yang meridians.

Objectives : This study was conducted to explain the locations of GV24, BL4, GB15, GB13, and ST8 from classic literatures. Methods : 17 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion literature - 『Huangdimingtangjingjixiao』, 『Zhenjiujiayijing』, 『Huangdimingtangjiujing』, 『Beijiqianjinyaofang』, 『Qianjinyifang』, 『Waitaimiyaofang』, 『Ishimpo』, 『Taipingshenghuifang』, 『Tongrenshuxuezhenjiutujing』, 『Zhenjiuzishengjing』, 『Shisijingfahui』, 『Zhenjiujuying』, 『Yixuerumen』, 『Zhenjiudacheng』, 『Leijingtuyi』, 『Chimgukyungheombang』 and 『Yizongjinjian』 - were reviewed and compared. Results : Location of GV24 was on the midpoint of the anterior hairline before Song Dynasty, but changed to 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline after Song Dynasty. The locations of BL4, GB13 and ST8 varied among literatures. Conclusions : The locations of GV24, BL4, GB15, GB13 and ST8 were different from the standard acupoint locations, and were not consistent in 17 acupuncture and moxibustion classic literatures.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of clinical practice for gout in Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : On-line survey was adopted for this study, targeted at KM Doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire included the general status of treatment, pattern identification and treatment method according to three stages given: acute, chronic and asymptomatic hyperuricemia stage. Results : Data from a total of 384 respondents was analyzed. Participants who responded most were in their 40s, working in KM clinics located in Seoul. Acupuncture and herbal medicines were the top priority treatments in preparing recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for gout, and where clinical trials were considered essential. As of the past year, the average number of first visits per month was 86.7%, and the average treatment duration was less than 1 month, accounting for 72.9%. As for the diagnostic method used for gout patients, the “diagnosed by clinical pattern” response was the highest, and the “blood and urine test” response was the highest as the diagnostic equipment used. As for the evaluation scale being used, the “VAS/NRS” response was the highest. Regardless of the gout stage, acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment method for gout patients, and bee venom pharmacopuncture was the highest for the pharmacopuncture used. In the case of herbal medicine, it was found that a wider variety of herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription were used for the staged treatment of gout than herbal medication in national health insurance coverage. In clinical practice, “acupuncture treatment three times a week” was the most common, and the “acupoints in the limb” were the most frequently used; LR3 and SP3 were the most frequently used acupoints. Conclusions : It is suggested that this survey should be helpful to develop clinical practice guideline for gout that reflects actual clinical practice.

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.